Daijiworld Media Network (SHP)

Agra, Jun 12: Taj Mahal may no longer be a site to spend time for leisure. A rule towards the time spent inside the premises of the Taj Mahal is in action. A three hour limit has been placed on the visitors.

To discourage unauthorized entry, turnstile gates are being considered.

Specific rules have been laid down. "Seven turnstile gates have been installed at both the East and West entry points. Five gates are for the exit. For the entry of foreign tourists, there are separate gates. Entry is through a token which is valid for three hours. To extend the validity, the token needs to be recharged at the exit gates," Basant Kumar said. He works as superintendent in Archaeological Survey of India.

Before the time restriction came to force, tourists enjoyed certain level of freedom. There were no specific timings on the stay.

Although the officials have claimed this to be a sound decision, tourists are thinking otherwise.

Given the extra fee for recharge of token, visitors stated that it would discourage them from visiting. One visitor even requested to increase the time slot.

Foreign tourists claim that tickets to see the monument is an expensive deal. The point to be noted here is that the tickets are differently priced for the foreigners.

Owing to poor maintenance of the iconic monument, the Uttar Pradesh government had received backlash from the Supreme Court.

Following this in July last year, the government submitted a document detailing the steps to be taken toward restoration of Taj Mahal.